I am ready to apply

Courses may still be accepting applications for 2018 entry - check individual course pages for more information. Please note, however, that we'll be displaying 2019 course content, so you should contact our Enquiry Centre if you have any questions about your course before you apply.

Choosing your degree

If you're not certain about your career plans, you might be reassured by the fact that more than one-third of jobs for graduates are open to graduates of any discipline. Whatever you study, the University of Nottingham will help you develop:

a critical approach to knowledge

the capacity for independent study

an awareness of research

the skills and attributes to be successful in employment

University of Nottingham graduates are consistently popular with employers, across all subjects. With this in mind, perhaps the best starting point is to choose a subject you're really interested in. This will help you to stay motivated throughout your course.

Some degree courses – like medicine, physiotherapy, architecture and pharmacy – should be chosen based on your career aspirations. These courses provide a significant part of the training needed for these professions.

Our tips for choosing your degree

Be realistic and think through all your options carefully

Contact admissions tutors to talk through your options before you submit your UCAS application – they can offer invaluable help and advice

Applying through UCAS

If you’re applying for a full-time first degree course (even if you already hold a degree), you must apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Information about applying is available on the UCAS website, or from your school or college or local careers centre.

Completing your UCAS application

Please ensure that all sections of the UCAS application form are completed and that all the information (including details of past and future qualifications) is correct. Failure to do so may result in delayed decisions or offers being rescinded.

Your UCAS application will ask you for a campus code. You will only need to complete this if your course is available at more than one campus (nursing, for example).

Making your UCAS application stand out

Strong reasons for choosing the course at Nottingham and motivation to study a particular discipline

Related work or voluntary experience showing commitment to a chosen career (particularly important for courses with a vocational aspect)

Extracurricular activities, achievements and interests

Your personal statement

Your personal statement is your opportunity to make yourself stand out from the crowd.

We want to know what interests you about your chosen course and what you hope to gain from it.Think about what it is about the subject which interests you – refer to topics you've already studied and also to your wider interests in the area. It's also worth reflecting on any reading that you have done on the subject, work experience and any extracurricular activities that you do.

If your personal statement is based on a different course to the one you are applying for, we may ask you to send in an additional personal statement.

Further guidance on completing your personal statement can be found in the Entry Profiles on the UCAS website.

Your school reference

Your reference should be written by someone within your most recent educational institution.

If you are studying on a one-year post A level course (such as a Foundation Year), your reference should be completed by this institution rather than the school/college in which you took your A levels.

If you are unable to provide a reference from your current institution, contact details should be provided so that they can be contacted regarding your current progress.

If you have been out of education for some time a reference from your work or relevant work experience may be acceptable. See also The role of the school reference.

Key deadlines and dates

To ensure equal consideration for your course, your application must reach UCAS between 1 September and 15 January for entry in the following September. See below different deadlines for medicine and veterinary medicine courses.

The final deadline for home/EU and international applications is 30 June. However, as the application deadline for UK students for equal consideration is 15 January and admission to our courses is competitive, EU and international students are advised to apply by 15 January.

Please note also that for many of our courses, we will not be able to accept any applications after 15 January. If you are applying after this date, please contact the Admissions Office or look on the UCAS website to see if the course is still available and whether your application will still be considered.

Other key dates

From September 2017

Applications can be sent to UCAS

15 October 2017

Deadline for applications for medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine and science courses

15 January 2018 - 6pm

Deadline to be guaranteed equal consideration, for all courses except those with a 15 October 2018 deadline and some art and design courses

Welcome Programme for new international students, and transfer students from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China and the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus

24-25 September 2017

Registration for University of Nottingham students

24-28 September 2017

Welcome (also known as Freshers' Week)

25 September 2017

Autumn term begins

Please note that UCAS dates are subject to change. For the latest dates and more information about applying through UCAS, please see their website.

What happens to your application?

Once you have made your application through UCAS we will receive a copy of your application form automatically.

You will receive an invitation and unique log on details for our applicant and student portal MyNottingham.

Your application is sent to the admissions tutor or officer who will either make a decision or invite you to an interview, depending on the course you are applying for. This stage can take up to two weeks.

Our decision will be communicated to you by UCAS. You should hear from us with a decision, an invitation to interview or an update on what is happening. If your fee status is unclear, we will contact you.

Many of our courses receive significantly more applications than we have places available and in these cases, it may be that a decision can’t be made about your application until late-February – to ensure that all applications from before 15 January are treated fairly. If this applies to you, you will be informed of this when you submit your application.

When writing to the University about your application, always state your name and address (as given on your application form) your UCAS personal ID number and the code and name of the course for which you are applying.

Tracking your application

Log in to UCAS Track to view your choices and stay informed about the progress of your application. Information is updated over the application cycle to keep you updated of any developments as they happen.

Applying for medicine and veterinary medicine courses

If you are applying for a medicine or veterinary medicine and science course, your application should reach UCAS by the earlier date of 15 October.

You are advised to enter four choices for medicine or veterinary medicine and science courses on your UCAS application. The final choice may be used for an application to another degree course or left blank.

You should be aware that if you make more than four choices for medicine or veterinary medicine and science courses you will be contacted by UCAS to withdraw a selection, which will delay your application.

Deferred entry

The University is normally happy to accept applications more than 12 months before the date of admission if there are good reasons – for example, if you will be gaining relevant work experience, spending time abroad to improve your languages, or need to obtain a university place before being considered for industrial sponsorship.

Local students

The University welcomes applications from students who live locally and actively fosters close links with nearby schools and colleges to encourage more candidates to apply. You can find out more at the widening participation website.

Mature applicants

All programmes welcome applications from mature students. There are a number of different approaches to entry requirements for those with a break in their education. See our Entry requirements page for further details.

Part-time applicants

Potential part-time students will need to apply through the MyNottingham online portal. Admissions staff will assess your application and some may wish to interview you. The University will notify you of the outcome of your application. If you don’t have login details for the MyNottingham system or have forgotten your login details, please contact +44 (0) 115 9514749 during UK office hours.